Method and means for maintaining the throat plastic-type closet bend spaced from cement flooring and for securing a water closet thereto

ABSTRACT

A guard form for circumscribing and maintaining the threat of a closet bend free and clear of cement flooring by removable coring and the replacement of such coring by a closet fastening ring tightly fitting between the guard form and the throat for stabilizing and securing a water closet relative thereto.

[4 Feb.22,1972

United States Patent Winter Robinson...................................

a em HKGH mmuwww wwwwww mwuwmw uwmmmm wmnmwm ,2 3 222 PFRT T D O E RAEFS OOCDO FRMNL SmSA mE m EHNNT M B GT W NNE A mw o D LTNW MHCWME N R M HMWE YEEH MMTCST m [72] Inventor: Arthur L. Winter, 54 San Carlos St., Rothberg Salinas, Calm 93901 Asszstant ExaminerDonald B. Massenberg Att0rneyLeslie M. Hansen May 4, 1970 34,125

[22] Filed:

[5 7] ABSTRACT A guard form for circumscribing and maintaining the threat of 21 Appl.No.:

11/00 a closet bend free and clear of cement flooring by removable ..4/252; 285/58, 56 coring and the replacement of such coring by a closet fasten- [51] Int. [58] Field of Search...

ing ring tightly fitting between the guard form and the throat References Cited for stabilizing and securing a water closet relative thereto.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures METHOD AND MEANS FOR MAINTAINING THE THROAT PLASTIC-TYPE CLOSET BEND SPACE!) FROM CEMENT FLOORING AND FOR SECURING A WATER CLOSET THERETO BACKGROUND This invention relates to means for mounting a Water closet on the closet bend of a soil pipe fitting and more particularly to a method and means for stabilizing such mount relative to concrete or cement flooring.

With the advent and now common practice of using plastic pipe and fittings in the plumbing industry many problems and difficult situations have developed in the construction and ultimate completion of the plumbing of buildings and the like. Such plastic pipe and fittings, now accepted under commercial standards, may be ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadine-Styrene; and/or PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) either of which to the plumbing industry are cataloged and recognized as DWV or Drain, Waste and Vent pipe and fittings.

Plastic DWV fittings are easily joined and assembled by sliding fits and are simply secured together by the application of a solvent at the joined parts which creates a weld between interfitting parts. Such plastic fittings being susceptible to heat and cold there is appreciable expansion and contraction thereof in ultimate construction and use. Accordingly, expansion joints are usually interposed in long runs of such piping. One of the most difficult and troublesome situations occurs where water closets are mounted on what is commonly known as a closet bend where the latter extends up through cement or concrete flooring. Such closet bends are usually placed prior to the pouring of cement and concrete flooring and according to accepted building codes are not to be embedded in such concrete or cement. In other words, the code requires that such closet bends be free and clear of the concrete especially during the setting and curing thereof. As a result of such code requirement it is customary to place an annular form around the closet bend temporarily during pouring of the cement to leave a sufficient clearance around the upwardly extending throat thereof where it extends through such cement flooring. After the cement has dried and cured the form is removed and the upwardly extending throat may be cut off at floor level and have a closet flange applied thereto. This closet flange is adapted to be secured to the base of a water closet in the usual manner by a pair of bolts. However, since the upwardly extending throat of the closet bend is free and clear of the cement the water closet, although properly secured to the waste pipe, is not secured to the floor and is therefor shiftable relative thereto. Such shifting when transmitted to the plastic pipe stresses the latter and the joints thereof and leads to possible breakage thereof and leakage therefrom.

It is this problem that the present invention seeks to overcome by the provision of means for stabilizing the closet ring relative to concrete or cement flooring.

THE PRESENT INVENTION It is an object of the present invention, in meeting all requirements of building codes, to provide a simple yet effective means for mounting a closet fastening ring on the closet bend of plastic pipe in a manner to achieve stability between the water closet and cement flooring.

It is another object to provide means for keeping the open upper throat of the closet bend free and clear of cement flooring during pouring thereof, and for utilizing such means as a recipient of the closet fastening ring for stabilizing the latter relative to the closet bend and flooring. In this connection it is an object to provide such means with a removable core adapted to circumscribe the throat during pouring of the cement flooring.

It is another object to provide a stabilizing means for the upper open end of a closet bend to provide concentric thereto a form for the plastic cement involving a stratified core within such form which may be readily removed after curing of the cement.

It is yet another object to provide a closet fastening ring adapted to replace removed segments. of the core and means for securing the closet fastening ring to the form.

Still another object contemplates the provision of a guard cylinder and means for supporting the :same in spaced concentric relation to the throat of a closet lbend during pouring of cement flooring thereabout. This object further contemplates the provision of means on the exterior surface of such guard cylinder for keying and/or interlockingly connecting such cylinder to the cement flooring.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in the light of the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary illustration of a roughed in plastic soil pipe closet bend for water closet;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section through the closet bend of FIG. 1 taken along line 2--2 thereof with a stabilizer mount therefor of the present invention applied thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective section through FIG. 2 taken along line 33 thereof at larger scale and with parts thereof removed;

FIG. 4 is perspective view of a water closet flange for the stabilizer mount of FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a section through FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5 thereof; and

FIG. 6 is a section through the complete assembly of the present invention with a water closet base mounted thereon.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Referring to FIG. 1 showing a fragmentary portion of the plumbing between a water closet W/C and a sewer line S. For purposes of the present invention such plumbing is constructed of plastic pipe and fittings 1? subject to all of the requirements and standards adopted by uniform building codes. The present application is concerned with the relationship between the closet bend C/B and cement and/or concrete flooring F and the manner of attaching the water closet base B to the upwardly extending throat T of the closet bend. In compliance with the accepted requirements of uniform building codes the throat T of the closet bend C/B of all plastic plumbing must be maintained free and clear of the cement flooring F. Therefore, before pouring of the cement it has heretofore been the practice to cap the throat T with a removable cover. Such cover has sufficient body to circumscribe the throat T in the zone of the concrete slab so as to leave an annular clearance space around the throat upon removal of the cover therefrom after the concrete has set. A closet flange fitting is then applied to the throat and secured thereto for attachment to the base of a water closet. Obviously, the throat being free and clear of the cement floor it has been the practice of blocking or stabilizing the same by means such as wooden wedges jammed into the space between the hole in the flooring and the throat T. Such wedging ultimately drys out and becomes loose. In accordance with the present invention a stabilizing means is provided to overcome the foregoing difficulty.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In accordance with the present invention means for stabilizing the throat T of plastic plumbing pipe P relative to cement flooring F is generally designated 10 in the drawing. This means 10 comprises in general a guard cylinder 11 having a removable core 12 and a closet fastening ring 13 adopted for placement between the guard cylinder and throat T of a closet bend C/B.

The guard cylinder 11 is preferably constructed of plastic material as is the closet fastening ring 13. It is conceivable, however, that they may be constructed of metal or other suitable material if desired. In either case the guard cylinder 11 with the core 12 in place is adapted to be mounted on the throat T of the closet bend C/B prior to the pouring of the ccment floor F as illustrated in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the throat T and guard cylinder 1 1 may be cut at the established floor line. This places the open upper end 14 of the throat T at the desired level. The throat T is then capped or covered in such a manner as to prevent the plastic cement from entering the open upper end 14 of the throat T when the cement is poured. In some cases the throat T, cylinder 11 and cover may remain in place until after pouring of the flooring F.

In accordance with the present invention the guard cylinder 11 is constructed with means for interlocking relation to the cement poured exteriorly thereof. The means 15 may be recesses formed in the exterior surface of the cylinder 11 or projections thereon such as knobs 15 or projections which become embedded in the cement while in a plastic state. The throat T is thus held in a position concentrically of the guard cylinder 11 by the internal core 12 during the application of pressure from the fluid cement and during tamping and screening thereof.

Once the cement poured is dried and cured sufficiently, the cap or cover may be removed from the open upper end 14 of the throat T and the latter and the cylinder 12 cut to the established floor level. Thereafter, the core 12 is exposed to view and may be pried out or partially removed by chisel or other suitable tools.

In accordance with the present invention the removable core 12 is any temporary expendable substance such as cork, clay and the like material which can be easily pried out of the space 16 between the guard cylinder 11 and the throat T of the closet bend C/B. In the preferred embodiment the core 12 is preferably made of styrofoam. More particularly the concept is to provide the styrofoam as a cylinder having an inside diameter suitable for sliding fit over the throat of a standard sized closet bend and an outside diameter to fit within the guard cylinder.

As a further feature of the removable core 12 of the present invention it is contemplated that the core material be provided in modules so stratified that the removal of only one or two of the uppermost stratum of core 12 may be easily accomplished, leaving the remaining ones in place. As depicted in FIG. 3 only one such stratum has been removed. In FIG. 6 additional space has been provided by removal of a second ring or stratum of the temporary core 12.

The space 16 thus provided by the removal of the upper stratum of the core 12 facilitates the entry of the closet fastening ring 13 into the space 16. This is preferably a press fit however a caulked leaded, as well as a threaded connection between the outer periphery 17 of the ring 13 and the inner surface 18 of the guard cylinder 11 also are suitable. In the unthreaded form as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 a suitable adhesive cement may be applied to the periphery 17 of the ring 13 and the inner surface 18 of the guard cylinder 11. With the ring 13 and guard cylinder 11 of ABS and/or PVC-type material as used in the fittings P the usual solvent when ap plied to the periphery l7 and inner surface 18 just prior to entry of the ring 13 into the cylinder 11 will establish a weld for securing them together. If desired the internal surface 19 of the ring 13 and external surface 20 of the throat T may also be welded together by the application of solvent thereto before assembly.

The closet fastening ring 13 is set into the space 16 with the upper surface 21 of the ring at floor level. In this manner the entire assembly as illustrated in FIG. 6 presents a solid ring about the open upper end 14 of the throat T and between the latter and the cement floor F. Y

The closet fastening ring'13 has its upper surface 21 provided with arcuate slots 22 for the bolts 23 by which to secure the base B of a water closet to a closet flange in the usual manner. These slots 22 are diametrically opposite each other and are undercut to receive the head h of a bolt 23 in the usual manner. Moreover, one end of the slot 22 has an enlarged access area 24 through which the head h ofa bolt 23 can be in serted in a manner well known in the art.

Once the closet fastening ring 13 1S suitably secured to the guard cylinder 11 a gasket G is applied to the top surface 21 of the ring 13 and the water closet W/C placed over the same with the discharge spout D of the watercloset in communication with the open upper end 14 of the throat T. Thereafter the base B of the watercloset is fastened to the closet fastening ring 13 by means of the bolts 23 and cap nuts 25 applied thereto in the usual manner.

With the foregoing arrangement despite the spacing of the plastic pipe throat from the cement flooring the throat is stabilized relative thereto and to the closet fastening ring which in turn is firmly secured to the cement flooring. In this manner the watercloset when fastened to the closet fastening is firmly secured to the flooring and stabilized relative thereto.

While I have described in specific detail the method and means for maintaining the throat of plastic pipe in stabilized spaced relation to cement flooring and for securing the base of a water closet firmly to such flooring it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the same may be susceptible to variations and alterations without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention therein.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. Means for mounting the throat of the closet bend of soil pipe free and clear of cement flooring during the pouring thereof and for providing a mount for closet fastening means including a fastening ring which is attachable to the base of a water closet in communication with such throat comprising:

a. form means for circumscribing such throat to form a guard for maintaining the cement flooring in spaced relation thereto;

b. means on said form means for interlockingly attaching the latter to such cement flooring;

0. means within said form means for maintaining the latter in concentric relation relative to said throat during pouring of such cement flooring about said form means and to provide a space between the latter and said throat for receiving the closet fastening ring; and

d. a first means for securing said form means to such closet fastening ring to thereby stabilize the base of a watercloset attached to the latter relative to the cement flooring and a second securing means at the top of the closet fastening ring within said form means for attaching the latter to the base of such watercloset.

22. The device in accordance with that of claim 1 in which said means within said form means comprises a core of removable material. I

3. The device in accordance with that of claim 2 in which said core of removable material consists of a semisolid chipable material.

4. The device in accordance with that of claim 2 in which said core of removable material consists of styrofoam.

5. The device in accordance with that of claim 2 in which said core of removable material consists of stratified rings of removable material.

6. The device in accordance with that of claim 5 in which the closet fastening means consists of a plastic material comparable to that of the throat of plastic soil pipe and conforms in shape to one or more of said stratified rings of said removable core.

7. The device in accordance with that of claim 6 in which the closet fastening means has sliding fit between the throat and said form means.

8. The device in accordance with that of claim 7 in which said form means consists of plastic material comparable to that of the throat of the plastic soil pipe.

9. The device in accordance with that of claim 8 in which the means for securing the closet fastening means to said form means consists of a solvent applied thereto prior to the sliding fit of the closet fastening means between said plastic form means and the throat of plastic soil pipe. 

1. Means for mounting the throat of the closet bend of soil pipe free and clear of cement flooring during the pouring thereof and for providing a mount for closet fastening means including a fastening ring which is attachable to the base of a water closet in communication with such throat comprising: a. form means for circumscribing such throat to form a guard for maintaining the cement flooring in spaced relation thereto; b. means on said form means for interlockingly attaching the latter to such cement flooring; c. means within said form means for maintaining the latter in concentric relation relative to said throat during pouring of such cement flooring about said form means and to provide a space between the latter and said throat for receiving the closet fastening ring; and d. a first means for securing said form means to such closet fastening ring to thereby stabilize the base of a watercloset attached to the latter relative to the cement flooring and a second securing means at the top of the closet fastening ring within said form means for attaching the latter to the base of such watercloset.
 3. The device in accordance with that of claim 2 in which said core of removable material consists of a semisolid chipable material.
 4. The device in accordance with that of claim 2 in which said core of removable material consists of styrofoam.
 5. The device in accordance with that of claim 2 in which said core of removable material consists of stratified rings of removable material.
 6. The device in accordance with that of claim 5 in which the closet fastening means consiSts of a plastic material comparable to that of the throat of plastic soil pipe and conforms in shape to one or more of said stratified rings of said removable core.
 7. The device in accordance with that of claim 6 in which the closet fastening means has sliding fit between the throat and said form means.
 8. The device in accordance with that of claim 7 in which said form means consists of plastic material comparable to that of the throat of the plastic soil pipe.
 9. The device in accordance with that of claim 8 in which the means for securing the closet fastening means to said form means consists of a solvent applied thereto prior to the sliding fit of the closet fastening means between said plastic form means and the throat of plastic soil pipe.
 22. The device in accordance with that of claim 1 in which said means within said form means comprises a core of removable material. 